Throwing Things Away Is Just So Hard!

It's hard for a packrat to sort through another packrat's stuff. As I am helping my father-in-law to go through some of Betty's belongings, there are some things I want to keep, many that I am placing in a donations pile, and some . . . that I logically know should be thrown away, but I struggle to do so. There is a plaque that is way past its prime! The face of it is water-damaged and it's not very attractive any more. When I said I would put it in the giveaway pile, Delavon said, "Or toss it?" There was a subtext of "Who would want it?" Yep. It should be tossed. But the wood is still good . . . someone could attach a new thing on the front of it! Sigh. I need to learn how to toss things out. But I *must* record the saying which I love:

There are three ways to get something done: do it yourself, hire someone, or forbid your kids to do it.

Betty

My phone is full of messages . . . I want to get rid of some messages but keep them, too. Not sure the order is entirely correct . . .

2/20/13 (Wed) - Betty isn't feeling well so Lou convinces her to go to the hospital.
2/21/13 (Thur) - Louie and I go to visit her at Methodist Hospital. She looks great!
2/23/13 (Sat) - Louie goes to the hospital to meet with the rest of his family. The diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia is given.

2/24??? @4:28pm me to Alex:  "It was good, but she was worn out. Lots of visitors today. She's in good spirits. Don't stay out too late. :-)"
2/24 @7:32pm Nick to me:  "It was good to see her. She was in good spirits and quite lively. She was getting a little hoarse by the time we left, just minutes ago."
2/26@9:05pm me to Alex:  "Pray for gma betty. Dad and i and sibs are meeting w doctor in a half hour." 
2/26/13 (Tues) - Del, Mike, Louie, Lou, and I meet with Betty and her regular doctor (who had been on vacation). Recommendation is hospice care.

2/26 @10:44am me to Nick:  "Love you. Seems unreal that prognosis is so dire."
2/26 @10:50am Nick to me:  "Love you too. I know, she seemed really good the last time i saw her."

2/27/13 (Wed) - Betty and Lou move into Mike and Laurie's house. Nick takes the day off school to drive grandpa down there.
2/28/13 (Thur) - Betty meets with the cancer specialist in Northfield.

2/28 @12:24pm Laurie to me:  "Betty and Lou decided to accept hospice services today. No more transfusions. Hospice will come to our house tomorrow to start."
3/1 @3:05pm me to Nick:  "We are talking very few days of life left, but we are hopeful and focused on enjoying the time we have."
3/2 @10:08am Jenifer to me:  "Out of this terrible time it is so good to hear that everyone is able to be together and make special memories. You and your family have been on my mind constantly since speaking. Throughout the day I often pray that you feel Christ's peace and love. Sending you hugs. Thanks for the update. Let me know if I can do or pray for anything specific as you continue on this journey. Love you."
3/2 @6:21pm me to Nick:  "Is Sam's dress in WI or MN? Stacie is going to wear hers for gma tmrw, fashion show. No Alex peeking!"
3/3 @10:56am  Mary Verbick to me:  "Thinking about you and Louie and family."
3/3 @11:10am me to Mary:  "Thank you. She is still alive, but not long for this world. It's hard, no matter what."
3/3 @8:57pm Laurie to me:  "I forgot to get the dish towels back from Stacey and Sam. I'm working in finding someone to help me get them finished. No big hurry. Thanks"

3/7 (Thurs) - Betty breathes her last breath at 2:12 a.m. Lou, Viv, Del, Mike, Laurie, and I are with her. She dies as we recite Psalm 23.

3/7 @6:39am me to Louie:  "They have already taken her body. Waiting for Luke and Lindsay to wake up. Everyone else fell asleep. I love you."
3/7 @7:10am Mary Verbick to me:  "Sending love and prayers to you and family."
3/7 @12:43pm Jamie Prip to me:  "Jeanne. So sorry to hear about Betty. We're praying with you guys! Let us know the arrangements for her funeral as several people have asked. Thanks!"
3/7 @3:03pm Terri to me:  "No we didn't . . . I am so sorry to hear that, at least she is at peace and in no pain . . all my love and prayers to you guys."
 3/7 @4:45pm Jenifer to me:  "Oh Jeanne, I am sooooo sorry. Just now read you post about Betty's funeral. When did she pass?"
3/7 @4:55pm Jenifer to me:  "So thankful you were both there. You all must be exhausted. Please let me know if need ANYTHING. You know I will do it if possible. Keeping you all in (missing)"
3/9 @11:23am Laurie to me:  "Today I heard the chime in Louie's moms room sound 4 separate times."
3/9 @11:30am me to Laurie:  "Once for each of her children."

3/11 @5:52pm Del to me:  "Pls remind me I have Louie's flash d in outside purse pocket so I dont forget!:)"
3/11 @5:55pm  Del to me:  "Starting picture boards now:) getting wine 4 work:)"
 3/11 @9:13pm Del to me:  "Just 1 moment of angst: I have never scrap booked in my life n I ran out of tape. :)"
3/11 @9:17pm Del to me:  "Awesome! I had 2 quit dinner time. Then find tape :) duct tape!!!"
3/11 @9:25?  Del to me:  "My boards r done! Ha! Going to bed leaving viv at her slide show n speech. . . "

3/12 @7:49pm  Jenifer to me:  "I am soo sorry about trying to be funny and then insulting you. You have great taste and look so nice tonight."

3/13 (Wed) - Betty's funeral at 11:00 a.m. at Living Spirit (Asbury) UMC

3/13 @12:46pm  Jenifer to me:  "Beautiful service for Betty today. Viv did a great job, so very special. Jeff and I teared up a few times. Sorry we did not stay for the luncheon. Jeff had to get to work. Hope you enjoy all the visiting love and special memories with family and friends."
3/13 @5:28pm me to Kate Kramer:  "How did everything go today? We are just heading home now and I'm exhausted."

3/21? @6:23pma Del to me:  "Ps play cards w my dad :) he luvs it!!:)"
3/22 @10:25am me to Nick:  "Want to swing by gng lamoores to look at knitting stuff?"
3/22 @ 2:19pm me to Del:  "We're at Met Life. Did you talk w yr dad about the life insurance?"
3/22 @2:22pm Del to me:  "No. Was I supposed to?"

Parking in the Garage

I strongly dislike scraping my windshield. Since I'm such a putz about getting to park in the garage, I actually kept track this past fall of how often I had to scrape. Four times before I started writing it down . . . then on 10/15/12 and 10/27/12. Louie scraped it once in September and again on 10/23/12. Then I had fussed enough and he cleared a space for me to park inside.

I love my husband!

President's Day weekend 2013

Nick to Sam: "I shall shape my snowballs like hearts so you know that I love you." on 2/16/13
David added: "Before I hit you with them."

Talking about wedding gift registries, Nick postulated: "For every stand mixer, there is an equal and opposite circular saw." He and Sam are planning to register at Fleet Farm.

I love hanging out at the lake with my family!

Quilt Sticks and getting rid of paper

I bought some quilt sticks at the Rochester show. I haven't used them a lot because I only got three sizes and haven't done a lot of cutting in those sizes. The husband and wife team live in Bloomington (about three blocks from my parents!) and their number is 612-916-1171 (Jason). Their website is www.quiltsticks.com but I haven't checked it out yet. Most of the sticks are $8 or $10 apiece. They have a buy 3 (size 4 7/8 and smaller) for $22.

Cleaning up old stuff . . .

Ironically, I was just about to tape this into a paper journal / scrapbook when I thought about scanning and blogging. I may still preserve the originals (though they'll no longer be in a pile on the pool table - hoorah!)
Sue Kreuser was an amazing principal. I loved working with her. These are two different start-of-the-year things she (and dean Kyle W) gave all staff members back in the early-2000s. I'm so glad I got to work with her!

Quilting

Rather than start yet another blog (what do I have to say about quilting, anyhow?), I'll just put a nugget of info here. At Saturday's quilt meeting, the speaker shared that we should look at the number of dots on the selvage when buying fabric. The more dots there are, the better the fabric's dye. It will be more colorfast and will hold its color longer. She looks for fabrics that have 14+ dots!!! (Compare with JoAnns . . . ) This fabric tends to be more lethal to make in terms of the dyes, but it will hold the color longer.